Boston’s Best Speakers And Lectures Coming This Fall

There are few things more enriching than hearing a wonderful speech, opening your world to new vistas and points of view. If you’re looking for an event to provide inspiration, entertainment or information, attend one of the many great speakers and lectures this fall. Boston provides a diverse selection of individuals whose spoken words will accomplish all that and much more.

(credit: Wikimedia Commons)

Boston Speakers Series
Boston Symphony Hall
301 Massachusetts Ave
Boston, MA 02115
(888) 266-1200bostonspeakersseries.orgPrice: $255-$455 for tickets to all seven lectures in the series
Date: Click here for a calendar of events.

The Boston Speakers Series is one of the premiere ways to enjoy a variety of top-quality speeches presented by a prestigious group of noted individuals celebrated for their professional expertise, experience and unique accomplishments. This year, the series offers a diverse selection of dignitaries ranging from former world leaders and celebrated journalists to true survivors that exemplify the best of the human spirit. Among those offering their views and experiences this season is former president Bill Clinton, expected to address the challenge of globalization facing the U.S. Also part of this year’s roster of speakers is Jeanette Walls, author of the bestselling memoir “The Glass Castle,” Lisa Ling, renowned National Geographic journalist, former Mexico president Vincente Fox and Nando Parrado, miracle survivor of the famous Andes mountain plane crash that inspired the book and subsequent film “Alive.”

Every year, The Massachusetts Broadcasters Hall of Fame honors the best and brightest among Boston’s esteemed TV and radio personalities who have distinguished themselves throughout their careers. This year, the event honors a hometown boy who’s back from the bright lights of Hollywood to receive a long overdue honor. Haverhill native and national TV host, Tom Bergeron finally has a chance to return to receive the Hall Of Fame award that was bestowed upon him in 2007. Other inductees this year include TV and radio personalities Jack Williams, Dick Albert, Jim Boyd and Matt Siegel. This year, this great event is open to the public and it’s a chance for everyone to hear some great stories from the Boston media’s finest.

(Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images)

“The Immortal Marilyn: The Depiction Of An Icon”
Boston Public LIbrary
East Boston Branch
276 Meridian St
Boston, MA 02101
(617) 569-0271bpl.orgPrice: Free to the public
Date: August 13

No Hollywood star will ever capture the public’s imagination or immortal status the way Marilyn Monroe did. Author John De Vito co-authored a book, “The Immortal Marilyn: The Depiction Of An Icon,” which chronicles the numerous depictions of Monroe in the world of entertainment and performing arts. DeVito’s book examines the many faces of Monroe as seen through the eyes of the public and others. His lecture about Monroe’s life and her impact as an entertainment and pop culture icon is sure to delight and fascinate anyone who is a fan of the legendary star.

The Museum of Fine Arts always provides opportunities to hear great speakers with an expert and often unique perspective on the world of fine art. Guest lecturer Lana Sloutsky will delight MFA patrons with a gallery talk on the exhibition “The Invention of Fantasy.” This intriguing lecture will focus on a variety of drawings from 18th-century Venice. Through Sloutsky’s presentation, MFA patrons will enjoy the works of Tiepolo and Canaletto via several key exhibits on display in the museum gallery. This is a great opportunity to discover the vistas of Venice in a whole new and intriguing way.

Style and fashion was certainly in vogue in the ancient world, and was perhaps as important as it is today. Often a hairstyle defined a man in this bygone era. Guest lecturer Christopher Gilbert will examine the hairstyles of the rich, famous and powerful of the ancient world, from Alexander the Great’s curly locks to Nero’s neck beard, via the museum’s collection of ancient busts, coins and other objects on display. This fascinating presentation will shed some light on the important political and social changes in the ancient world as it was reflected by the hairstyles of the era.

Tim Estiloz is an experienced, two-time Emmy-winning TV journalist / performer with over a decade of covering entertainment news and features. Based in Boston, Tim is also a voting member of the prestigious Broadcast Film Critics Association which awards the annual Critics’ Choice Awards in Hollywood. Tim has interviewed and profiled dozens of Hollywood’s top Oscar-winning film and television actors, including Meryl Streep, Will Smith, Kate Winslet, Brad Pitt and more. Actor/director Ben Affleck also cast him for a speaking role as a TV reporter in his critically acclaimed film “Gone Baby Gone.” Find his work on Examiner.com. Contact him direct at Estiloz@aol.com or follow him on Twitter @TimEstiloz